The working environment is changing. The modern office has moved into our homes and become an integral part of everyday life. Design solutions for our homes have to be adapted to the new needs of the users.

In this post, we will talk about furniture items from our home environment that, as an additional function, can satisfy the requirements of work activities.

We will present how they can contribute to a functional home office, comfortable for the user.

Multipurpose usage of furniture - dining table

The basis of the workplace is the desk where we work, communicate and share knowledge.

In the post 11 Desirable Home Office Writing Desks, Designcommunication considered different types of writing desks for the Home office.

The question is whether other furniture in the house can replace the role of the desk. 

A dining table is a piece of furniture present in almost all homes. It is designed to fulfil the function of serving meals and gathering family members for conversation or celebration. It is a place where we spend quiet moments for a quick meal alone, for an intimate lunch for two or celebrations with family and friends. Today, another function has been added to the dining table. It becomes the place where the user works on the laptop, holds informal discussions with long-distance colleagues and spends moments in web meetings. It is also a place for the work of different generations, a place where adult work and children write their homework.

The dining table becomes a dynamic place that is used in different ways depending on the needs. It is a workplace for flexible work and a place to enjoy lunch in the company.

Thus, the dining table becomes an element of furniture that fulfils more than one function without changing its characteristics and requiring changes in the space. 

The dining table is most often located in the dining room, in the living room or in the kitchen, depending on the organization of the living space. Extendable dining tables or tables in the kitchen can be used for dining, working, entertaining and more. 

The solution of work at the dining table is for homes without a separate workspace or when there are no other solutions.

We will list some features of dining tables that can contribute to the functionality of the home office:

• The tables with adjustable height 

Working in a standing or sitting position is becoming more and more popular. Some dining tables are designed as height-adjustable, so they are suitable not only for a dining table but also for a home office. This type of functional furniture meets the needs of the modern user. An alternate change of work style from standing to sitting positively affects productivity. 

Such tables are suitable for the living and working environment and it is only necessary to provide suitable chairs for complete comfort.

• Extendable tables

The family needs are not always the same and change even on the same day. A small dining table is suitable when there is not enough space in the apartment. A large dining table is occasionally needed, for family gatherings. The solution for such situations is a dining table with variable dimensions. Different systems and stretching mechanisms allow a small dimensions table to be transformed into a spacious table with enough room for all family members and friends. Some tables consist of modular elements and are enlarged by adding segments.

• Fold away table

Sometimes there is a need to remove the dining table and free up space for other activities. This need is especially expressed in apartments with a small area. Tables that are easy and simple to fold and that can be removed after use are a convenient solution.

• Cable management

If working from home at the dining table is a longer-term option, the use of dedicated solutions for cable management and electrification is recommended. In this way, the adapters and power cables are stored under the tabletop and the cables pass along the legs of the table to the socket in a safe way. 

Not all available solutions are adequate for all types of tables, so it is necessary to look for a suitable variant. Some cable management solutions are specifically designed for the (home) work environment.

Designcomunnication presents you with a selection of multifunctional tables that can fulfill the function of a dining table and meet the needs of the home office.

The home&work balance 

The EM table is one of the icons of contemporary design. It is designed as a dining table, produced in multiple top panel dimensions.

It consists of a top from the solid wood panel with an oiled finish or HPL laminate and a powder-coated steel base (wood veneer only for some dimensions).‎ The product has simple, balanced lines and construction enabling the stability of the product. Its construction details attract the viewer's attention, form the architectural structure and contribute to the aesthetic characteristics of the product.

This table fulfils the essential function of dining and family gatherings. In addition, the EM table enables work activities in homes where there is a lack of space and no separate study. It helps the Home Office to move into rooms where work is not the primary purpose. 

EM provides enough space to work in the dining or living room, without necessary changes to the product or the space. Fulfilling multiple functions, the space itself is transformed and becomes multifunctional.

Designed in the last century, this table still meets the needs of the contemporary user. Today it is used as a dining table and a desk for a flexible home workplace. 

With such characteristics, the EM table confirms that its design is timeless.

Variety of working positions

Desks with a variety of working positions, from standing to sitting, are becoming more popular among mobile users. For this reason, manufacturers increasingly include products with these characteristics in their offers. In this case, the user does not have a passive role and changes the height of the table as needed.

Changes in height, manually or electronically, have a positive effect on productivity. The meetings with participants in a standing position are more efficient.

The 360° table(Ø 140) is adjustable in height. The central column hides the height adjustment mechanism (73cm - 95cm). The base is die-cast aluminium, and the top is in electro-galvanized steel and painted in polyester powder. This table is suitable for an office or home. At home, it can be used as a desk in a Home office or as a dining table. 

Fold away table

Brygga (2004) is a wooden dining table. Its top is in different finishes: veneer (oak, birch, ash), laminate (white, black, oak, birch, ash) or black colour.

The distinguishing features of this table are the elegance in appearance provided by the synthesis of the form, function and applied materials. The legs are made of solid wood too. An elegant arched wooden support connects the legs of the table. It gives stability to the support structure and enables easy folding and unfolding of the table. Brygga can equally be used in a home or office environment. The home office can be placed in the dining room, kitchen, and living room where other activities are carried out. The advantage of this table is that it can be folded and easily removed from the room if necessary.

Table with variable top dimensions

The Nyhavn dining table offers numerous options that allow it to be adapted to the user's individual needs. It is a dining table with a top that can be enlarged with the help of unique leaves.

The two brackets allow the addition to the top to hang vertically at either end of the table when not in use. If the leaves are not needed, they can be completely removed. Specially designed supports allow the additions to be placed horizontally next to the table top and thus increase its size.

The Nyhavn dining table can be used (with or without leaves) also as a home office desk.

The tabletop is in veneer or linoleum with solid edges. The different panel finishes (black linoleum or teak, oak, walnut, Oregon pine veneer) and colours variety of the construction with wooden toes, allow the table to fit easily into most interiors.

The Nyhavn dining table combines expert craftsmanship with functionality and quality materials.

All in one

Mobile Desk is a table that fulfils multiple functions. Four castors enable mobility and moving the element as desired by the user. In the middle of the table is a large open container with a door for access to electrification and a technical compartment for cables.‎ Mobile Desk can be folded from one or both sides and its height can be changed. Thanks to these characteristics, it can be transformed and used for different purposes. For the writing desk, the user can choose the size of the top and  its the working height. With both sides unfolded, it fulfils the function of a dining table or meeting table.‎

The multiple customization opportunities

Lift is a multifunctional coffee table with adjustable height. The user can easily regulate its height to answer his needs and comfort.

A small lever on the underside of the tabletop allows a change of height from 39.5 to 75.5 cm. 

The coffee table becomes a place to work at different heights for different generations. With an increased height, it can serve as an addition to the dining table as right-angled shapes match the widths of the dining tables of the same producer. Optional the user can choose electric height adjustment offering maximum handling convenience. Permanent wiring is unnecessary since a rechargeable battery provides enough power for the lifting technology with just one charge. 

The coffee table is a small piece of furniture, that supports some activities for working from home as checking emails with your morning coffee.

The offer of dining tables with different characteristics, designs, sizes, applied materials, processing and colours provides a wide range of choices to future customers. Choosing a multifunctional dining table for the home is particularly complex. It implies consideration of various factors: the needs of the family (the family as a whole and the needs of individual members), the characteristics of the space (size, interior, represented colours...) and individual preferences in the choice of aesthetic values. An adequately selected multi-functional dining table should easily adapt to the user's needs, be functional, and attractive and contribute to the comfort of the Home office.